An experienced criminal barrister has been reprimanded and fined by the regulator after he “inadvertently” sent cocaine to a chambers. Richard Thomas Keogh failed to act with integrity in that, on 10 April 2018, “he was in possession of a Class A drug (cocaine) which he inadvertently sent to a chambers”, according to a finding published by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

Keogh later accepted a police caution for possession of a class A drug, contrary to Section 5, Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the finding adds. Keogh, who was called to the bar in 1991, was fined £750 and reprimanded by the BSB. The offence was dealt with by a ‘determination by consent’, an agreement that means the case was not sent to a disciplinary tribunal. The decision is open to appeal. The BSB declined to provide further details regarding the case. Keogh didn’t immediately respond to Legal Cheek’s request for comment.

[ MOJUK comment: Has Mr Keogh during his career, acted for the CPS in prosecuting any one for the possession of cocaine or other drug related offences. What is most offensive about this offence is that the police gave him a caution, doubt very much if Mr Keogh had been an ordinary citizen, he would have got a caution. No need to say it but I will, ‘One law for us, one law for them.]